As the marching band completed its version of “Bohemian Rhapsody” and filed off the field following halftime, an announcement flashed on the scoreboard at Ohio Stadium: The start of the second half was delayed due to lightning.

Even on game day, Ohio State can’t escape the storms.

The last month of allegations and apologies and Twitter rants and investigative committees was pushed aside during Saturday’s 4 1/2-hour therapy session: 721 yards and 77 points is the type of prescription-strength pain reliever the 102,169 in attendance desperately craved.

The fact Urban Meyer wasn’t here to lord over it all was the biggest reminder of what has been and what is still to come. Instead, it was Ryan Day knocking on hotel room doors at The Blackwell late Friday night for bed check. It was Day leading the team to Skull Session early Saturday morning, then across the field, accompanied by his son, wearing a crisp gray jacket and scarlet-striped tie...